Students protest anti-abortion rally

"Students of Delaware, do you know the definition of genocide?" junior Allison Landry shouted from the steps of Gore Hall on Thursday at a counter-protest organized in reaction to an anti-abortion display on The Green by a national advocacy group.

Landry, and a crowd of more than 200 students, gathered in front of Center for Bioethical Reform's display to protest the use of graphic images and the parallels to genocide made by posters set up by CBR.

The students stood held posters with messages both humorous and serious - "Stop Genocide - pull out," "Against Abortion, Don't get One," "Truth, Let's start an intelligent conversation," and "Pro-Dance," held up by the cast of HTAC's play, Footloose.

The displays had raised a question about free speech on campus, and students with both viewpoints gathered around Gore Hall to argue about the use of the images and speak with students and community members about similar issues.

The registered student organization Pro-Life Vanguard brought CBR to campus. Representatives from the California-based CBR travel to college campuses around the country displaying large photos of aborted fetuses.

"This shows people when they are discussing abortion, this is what it looks like," said Gina Paladinetti, vice president of the RSO.

Corey Bart, who organized the counter-protest through a Facebook group, said it was not a pro-life vs. pro-choice debate but rather a disagreement with the tactics used by CBR.

"I was shocked and offended," Bart said. "I don't approve of the methods used at all."

The counter-protested was organized after some students took offense at CBR's display on Wednesday, the beginning of CBR's two-day protest at the university.

Other students have called the office of student life to voice concerns about the advocacy group being allowed access to The Green.

Scott Mason, associate director of student centers, said the group was allowed because it was sponsored by Pro-Life Vanguard, which applied for permits to display posters on The Green.

"Like other RSOs, they filled out a request to reserve the Green for a space in which to present their event," Mason stated in an e-mail message. "The Green may be reserved by any department or recognized student organization at UD."

The university has received varied feedback about the protest, Mason said.

"Students, staff, faculty and community concerns pertaining to the content of the display are appreciated and many different administrators have been contacted with such concerns," he said. "However, there have also been students that have written stating that though they do not like the display, they appreciate the support of free speech."

Mason emphasized the university's sensitivity to the right of freedom of speech and personal and academic freedom.

"[The university] is committed to creating an educational community that is intellectually, culturally and socially inclusive," he said.

Sophomore Heidi Lieberman agreed the First Amendment should be respected, but believed more warnings should have been placed around campus to let students know what they would be seeing.

"I respect their opinion, but they went around this the wrong way," Lieberman said. 

Others thought the pictures were necessary to get the point across.

"I feel like we should know what's going on," sophomore Laura Dodd said. "If people will see them, they'll start thinking about what abortion really is."

CBR had 15 representatives at the university and had a debate team around the project to discuss and argue with students.

"The pictures are graphic because abortion is graphic," said Mark Harrington, a representative of the group. "The pictures are just a depiction of the act of abortion, we're not embellishing anything.

Other students took issue with CBR's comparisons of abortion to genocide, the Holocaust and lynchings.

"Comparing abortion to the Holocaust is offensive to so many people," sophomore Hannah Niedal said.

As Niedel spoke, she wrote a message on the "free speech board" set up near the protest. "My body, my choice," she wrote.

Despite her anger, Niedel was able to find a positive thing about the event.

"I've never seen the school so passionate about something," she said. "It's cool to see students come out and protest against something they think is wrong."